Cartier Tank LC "Paris" yellow gold mechanical 23 x 30 mm

The origins

The Tank attracts as much as it fascinates. It was Louis Cartier himself who, at the beginning of the XXᵉ century, devoted himself to formal research, the aim of which was to fit the hour circle into the line of the bracelet and to purify, until finally integrating the design of the attachments to the case into the extension of the bracelet. Inspired by the design of a military tank seen from above, the watch is governed by this clear graphic principle: the stretchers for the tracks, the case for the vehicle's interior. A new, founding principle is born from this formal rapprochement: the design of the case attachments now integrates into the extension of the bracelet without any break in rhythm.

Developed by Cartier in 1917, it wasn't until 1919 that the Tank was actually marketed. Between November 15 and December 26, 1919, six pieces were listed in stock; by January 17 of the following year, none remained. The Tank never went out of fashion. In fact, it has become a symbol of timelessness and elegance, transcending eras and cultural milieus. This style icon has taken many forms over the course of its centenary: Cintrée, Chinoise, Obus, Basculante, Asymétrique, Américaine and Louis Cartier. It's precisely this last model that we're celebrating today in this Lepage 10h10 selection.

A timeless model

The reference 78086 we present is a Tank made in 750 thousandth yellow gold in the 1970s/1980s. It comes from the "Louis Cartier" collection sometimes referred to as "LC", introduced in 1973 following the takeover of Cartier by a group of international investors. Indeed, after more than half a century of existence, this emblematic model still stands as a benchmark of modernity. In presenting this new collection, Cartier is therefore projecting a prestigious past into the future, releasing two models available exclusively in gold with mechanical movements under the names "Tank Normale" and "Tank Louis Cartier".

The model we present today is a Tank "Louis Cartier", inspired by the 1921 model. With its softer, rounder lines, the Louis Cartier succeeds the 1919 Tank Normale in shape and style. It is this model that has become the jewel of the Tank collection, and most collectors consider it to be Cartier's true Tank. Originally available in yellow gold and platinum, this model was almost as small as the Tank Normale. Then came the monochrome dials of the Must years from the late 1970s, which were based on the design of this model, in much more affordable versions.

From our side, we particularly appreciate the Tank Louis Cartier, as it features all the fundamental characteristics of Cartier design: a white dial with black Roman numerals and chemin de fer, blued hands and a crown with a genuine blue sapphire cabochon, underlining its position of the "jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers".

The fully polished case offers retro dimensions of 23 x 30 mm, a perfect size for both a woman and a man in search of elegance. The dial has acquired a slight patina over time, almost eggshell-like depending on the light reflections. The Roman numerals are stamped directly onto the dial in black ink, while the blued steel hands are executed in the shape of swords, the true DNA of Cartier watches. And of course, the secret signature is hidden in the number VII. Finally, an interesting detail on this model is its "Paris" dial, a nod to its birthplace. In fact, since 1972, Cartier has been based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and has been offering "Swiss Made" dials.

Finally, this Cartier Tank "LC" in yellow gold is powered by the Cartier 78-1 manual-winding caliber found on many of the classic models of the era.

With the many iterations of the Tank over the years, the elegance of this two-hand version here constitutes a sure bet for anyone looking for a watch dressed in yellow gold from one of the greatest Maisons.

The package

This superb timepiece has been authenticated by our experts and checked by our watchmakers. As such, it benefits from the Lepage Vintage 1-year warranty. What's more, this model has just left the Cartier workshops for a full maintenance service! This Tank Louis Cartier will be delivered in a contemporary Cartier case with its 2023 service document.

A not insignificant detail, this model comes on a green alligator leather strap, equipped with the Cartier yellow gold non-adjustable folding clasp.